Eucrosia bicolor (Zones 9/10 or houseplant)

(Amaryllidaceae) Smaller shrimp-red and cream flowers, smaller than Sprekelia, they are also produced but are longer-lasting. Plant together in one pot with the bulb about half out of the soil and close together, they will happily form large clumps with new offshoots actually growing above the soil line. Leaves are very wide and freely produced for an attractive clump year round - being nearly evergreen. As individual leaves begin to yellow, simply pinch off and shortly a new leaf will be produced.

In USDA Zones 9 and 10, they are best planted outdoors all year for easy care. In our more northern location (Northwest Washington State) we grow them in 4 and 6-inch pots and when an individual comes into bloom during summer it is brought into the house in a window, then placed back with it's siblings until bloom again. Bulbs may wait a year before blooming if large or bloom a couple of times a year if even small, seed-grown originally, so there is differing attributes which make them fun to grow as they can be unpredictable at times.

WARNING: Do not use potting soil with "added fertilizer" or you may have a lovely crop of leaves, but not flowers. Fertilize lightly when the leaves are in active growth with a balanced formula, not one high in nitrogen.

Bulbs can take a light frost in fall which may not kill back the leaves immediately but will "droop" them. In colder climates, that is your cue to bring indoors and continue to water the plants or let them go dry and dormant for a few months if desired.